TierramadreLandscape.com

We recently purchased our house and some of the outdoor lighting is not working. These lights focus on trees in our yard. There are missing lights in some of them. Can we just replace the bulb in the shell of the current system? Anything we need to be aware of? What are we looking for exactly?

1) Outdoor lighting fixtures, like indoor lighting fixtures are rated for a maximum wattage. Determine the maximum wattage of your fixtures and do not exceed this wattage when replacing bulbs.

2) Determine the fixtures on each outdoor circuit.

3) Determine the operating voltage of each of your outdoor lighting circuits. Some outdoor lighting transformers support multiple votage taps. This allows a designer to use voltages from 12 - 24 volts (in a National Electrical Code defined low voltage system). A transformer that conforms to the UL 1858 standard will be limited to 12 - 15 volt taps.

4) Determine the wire size of each circuit.

5) Determine the total wattage on each circuit with the intended replacement bulbs. If this wattage exceeds 180 watts on a 12 volt circuit, you will have to use lower wattage replacement bulbs. Circuits at higher voltages will have different maximum wattage capacities. Just remember that the National Elecrical Codes specifies a maximum of 15 amps for 12/2 copper wiring. Adust the maximum amperage used for your calculations if the wiring is something other than 12/2. Remember that there is enough current in a low voltage lighting system to melt the insulation off your wiring and potentially cause a fire. Please do not overload circuits.

6) Now that you know the wattage that you will need for a replacement bulb, determine the bulb type needed for each fixture. There are several bulb styles (Par36, MR16, T3, etc.) used in outdoor lighting fixtures. Look at the fixture's socket to determine this. If you can not tell, look at another fixture to see what bulb type has been used.

7) For each bulb type and wattage rating, there are different light patterns available (flood, spot, narrow spot, etc.). Now determine the light pattern you need for each replacement bulb.

8) Halogen bulbs operate in a narrow voltage range (10.8 - 12.5 volts). Operating a halogen bulb outside of this range negatively affects the light output & shortens its life. When just one bulb burns out in an outdoor lighting system, all the bulbs on that circuit can be over voltaged compromising their longevity. For this reason, it is suggested that you replace all bulbs on the same circuit at the same time.

9) Body oils can negatively affect the longevity of halogen bulbs. Use latex gloves when handling bulbs.

10) Moisture is the enemy of outdoor lighting systems. Lubricate the bulb contacts with a good eletrical conducting dielectric grease before replacing any bulb.

11) Replace the bulbs in your circuit.

12) Now measure the operating voltage at each bulb to insure that they are operationg at the proper voltage range.

13) Measure the current on each circuit to insure that you have not exceeded the safe and recommended current limits.

14) Measure the current at the primary side of the transformer to insure that the total load on the transformer has not exceeded the manufacture's limit.

15) Step back and enjoy the beauty of your working outdoor lighting system. It's just that simple!

Or you could call a professional outdoor lighting specialist. Good luck.

2007-05-11 15:06:10 by twogirlygirls

Check out these easy tips on how you can install outdoor landscape lighting!

I'm no pro but I'd like to see a few pictures on small landscaping projects that incorporate low voltage lighting. Any websites or books?

How about solar lighting?

http://www.siliconsolar.com/solar-garden -lights.html

http://www.mysolarshop.com/

One on lighting in general:
http://www.landscape-america.com/landsca pes/lighting/outdoor_lighting.html

2009-05-12 13:39:23 by D_Icon

Price: $29.99 $11.73

Cast-aluminum housing; UV-protected finish; protective glass lens
Safe outdoor use
Includes 12 inches of SPT-1 18-gauge wire and a connector box

I understand the wiring and voltage drop etc... I need help with the lighting design. I want to light up the front of my home (stone face)(wall wash & columns) and do some up lighting and down lighting on trees (moon lighting effect) (wooded lot -nice mature trees). I've seen some really nice lighting in my area and understand the concepts but need help in knowing what kind of fixtures and bulbs - also placement.

Any suggestion on a good company? Minnesota - Twin Cities

ELS (Executive Lighting Solutions) They helped me out. It's great you can send them photos and they can even draw right on them to let you know where to put the fixtures. I was impressed with their knowledge on how to light different areas. I had gone through a couple of different landscape contractor but they didn't seem to know much about the different techniques, they just wanted to sell me fixtures.

Good luck. (I think they are up in your neck of the woods)

2006-09-14 09:41:37 by Richard H

Compatible with 12-Volt lighting systems
Safe outdoor use
Cast aluminum construction

I've heard of lights that use capacitors but have only found them in paver type applications. I am looking for traditional "stake" lighting.

no, thats how solar works you use the sun to charge batt, then use the power at night, I have a set of 12 that i got thru Harbor freight 3 yrs ago there still working,
they were around $20

2008-03-28 05:36:59 by Captain Flatulence

I am going to be installing low voltage landscape lights. The fixture that was picked out is a Malibu 12 volt with an 11 watt bulb. The only problem is I'm not sure how much light the 11 watt bulb will put out. Is it okay to change it to a 18 watt bulb. I am not going to be using a Malibu transformer. I will be using a 900 watt multi tap transformer, so capacity is not an issue.

You can use the 18 watt. the 11 watt is pretty bright. Your transformer can handle it so go for it. I dont like the ones that are 4-6 watts because they look so cheap.

Good Luck.

2009-05-31 18:32:27 by Jim D